Royal Society could merge with old rival Royal Institution

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The Royal Institution’s Mayfair home includes Michael Faraday’s laboratoryThomas Hosmer Shepherd/Wikipedia

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L-R Jeff Forshaw and Brian Cox who have a new book out – The Quantum Universe. Pictures at BBC Bridge House, Media city, Salford Quays Salford.
By Chris Harris for The TimesTimes photographer, Chris Harris

Britain’s two oldest scientific establishments could merge under a rescue plan
to save the London home of the Royal
Institution.

After more than two centuries of academic rivalry, the Royal
Society is considering taking on the RI’s debts in an an attempt to stop
the sale of its headquarters, which house the laboratory where Michael
Faraday first demonstrated the power of electricity.

Under the proposal, the building would become the Royal Society’s public home,
hosting lectures and scientific outreach activities while core activities as
a learned society, scientific funder and publisher, would remain in its
current home nearby.